The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-28
CHRISTMAS MAGAZINES.

tinctive features for admiration OF Scribner
it may be said that the December number has
made an uEquestionable success OF its illustra-
tions, inasmuch they not only fuihii tho
secondary purpose of embellishments, but really
illustrate the text by making its points more
effective an end the artists do not always attain.
A striking instance of this is drawing which
accompanies Robert Louis Stevenson's weird
poem ssTicondoraca" Poems by Elizabeth
Akers Austin Dooson Louise I'm ogene Quincy
s. Decatur Smith, Graham Toms and Edith
NJ. Thomas, make up wealth of verse. There
are several short stories, all good. "a Drift
from Redwood Camp by Bret Harte, is in
Renious tale In that authors best style. "Zadoc
Pines Labor Union" by Fl. C. BURNER, is
sketch which every intelligent laboring man
might read with profit. I'm Florence with
Romola," Is by E. 3. Blashfield. the artist, and
bis wife. the TWO forming literary and artistic
Partnership. .In Dickens Land" is a postum
Gus paper by E. P Whpple, reviewing some of
the characters in DIckens's novels
After the fashion of magazines. the Christmas
number of Harper makes its appearance
month before Christmas; but. as holiday litera-
ture holds its charm in all seasons, it comes none
too early to be thoroughly enjoyed Artists and
writers alike have contributed OF their best and
most characteristics work, and the result is q
beautiful and brilliant number. The opening
article is pleasantly written description OF
''Old Garden Flowers by f. W. Burbridge.
trated are those with which all familiar,
but the gardens which the writer finds them
are English. and, as pictured, lack something In
homelike attractiveness to American readers
however superior they may be in reality
Praeds poem 1.-THE Vicar" is illustrated by
Abbey. who is unsurpassed in his delineation of
old slime costumes and characters. The maya
zine is largely made up of short stories by
Amelie Rives, Charles Egbert Craddock, Capt.
Charles King. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. and
Frances Coventry Baylor. tale in verse by
Will Carleton. a dramatic poem by T. b. Aldrch
and parlor comedy entitled Five O'clock Tea"
2y W. d. Howells. add variety and interest.
The novel feature of the issue is colored litho-
graph showing eneravings of sixteen varieties of
gems, the plate being used TO illustrate paper
by George F. Kunz on precious Stones in the
United States" In the Easy Chair" editor
Curtis INDUCES in some haf-pathetic reminis-
Fences brought up by the announcement of
Jenny Lind's death. Mr.. Howells scolds
usual, ct the people who do not agree with him
on the subject of the realistic In art and litera-
ture and Mr.. Charles Dudley Warner and his
assistants in the drawer" vary from the mildly
humorous to the dismally depressing. according
to the custom of that department from time out
of mind
The Atlantic Monthly INDUCES in special
holiday attractions. but continues on its even
course and serves up high class of literature
without regard to The December
number opens with peculiarly interesting pa
per by E. H. House, on 1.-THE Thraldom of
Japan" The wrongs Of that empire are de-
scribed with much force. and justice LOVING
Americans reading of the part taken by the
United States in imposing the bonds and of the
failure to undo the error can but feel shame
and indignation. Sophia Kirk contributes a
study of Robert Louis Stevensons works.
which shows fine appreciation of his merits.
t'Some Aspects of Pessimism," by Agnes Rspp-
lier is half hum orous discussion of certain de-
pressing tendencies of modern fiction and verse.
Philip Gilbert Hamerton, in his French and
English studies compares the morality of the
md Eoo an6I nf
the distinctive characteristics of each people.
"At Pinneys Ranch" is a short sto.y by Edward
tery-a class of fiction for which the Atlantic
editors show special foudness An historical
paper by Professor Fiske. entitled paul Jones
and the Armed Neutrality" s1sland Democracy
in the Caspian" by Edmund Noble, and Percival
Lowell's ''Soul of the Far East" are the more
serious contributions. OF the two serial stories
is com pleted and the other draws near the
close, with the end clearly outlined OF the
poems. one by Edith Thomas Zone Who is
Deaf" and cat the Funeral of : Iinor Poet" by
II. b. Aldrich, are noticeable. the latter being
of the writer's most characteristic combinR-
tons of pathos and delicate satire.
Captain Charles King, whose stories of regu-
lar army life decidedly the best that have
been written, contributes another very interest
ing one called, ''From the Ranks" to the De-
cember number of Lippincott's Magazine. There
is considerable ingenuity displayed in the plot,
the interest is sustained throughout, and the
style IS up TO the nigh STANDARD OF the authors
best work. Albion ". Tourgee presents the
first of series of mysterious stories; Janet Ed
xnondson, formerly of the Boston Ideals, gives
), bit or personal stage "reminiscences; Lucy c.
Lille has entertaining sketch on Jenny
Lind @ oldschmidt," full of interest now, be-
cause of the recent death of the great singer;
and Miss F. G. Baylor throws in a humorous
paper on THE Drum Major" The poetry and
other features of the magazine are good, and
the number. as a whole. Is a worthy one.
The Art Age, which gives special attention
to architecture, will soon begin the publication
Of series of illustrated papers American
architects work An illustration in the Novem-
Der number showing the chancel of the Buffalo
crematorium indicates that the proper churchly
and digniied idea of what such buildings should
be has prevailed in the erection of the structure.
To celebrate the art association and musical
societies of Cincinnati seems to be the main pur
pose of the Criterion of that city. Variety is
given to the contents OF the November issue by
the addition of two or three articles of literary
character, and paper the treatment of
tetanus in horses by veterinary surgeon.
The illustrations in that dainty magazine
''Our Little Ones" continue to be delight to
the eye, SO life-like are the pictured children.
and so true to nature the simple scenes define
ated. The stories of just the sortt to suit the
babies. The Russell Publishing Company, Bos-
ton.
American Art lBoeton,l endeavors to keep a
record of the doipgs of artists outside of the
Eastern art centers, and succeeds fairly well.
Among the contributors the Novemb Der issue
are William Howe Dowues, Caryl Coleman,
Roge Riordan and William Stanton Howard.
THE COURT RECORD.
United States Circuit Court.
Hon. VIM. A. Woods. Judge
ID. j. Sprague vs. Board of Commissioners of
La nee County: bridge contract On trial.